Leviticus 26:10

KJV

And ye shall eat old store, and bring forth the old because of the new.

KJV (with Strong's)

And ye shall eat {H398} old store {H3462}, and bring forth {H3318} the old {H3465} because {H6440} of the new {H2319}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You will eat all you want from last year's harvest and throw out what remains of the old to make room for the new.

Berean Standard Bible

You will still be eating the old supply of grain when you need to clear it out to make room for the new.

American Standard Version

And ye shall eat old store long kept, and ye shall bring forth the old because of the new.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 26:10 presents a vivid promise of overwhelming agricultural abundance for the Israelites, depicting a state of such prolific blessing that the sheer volume of new harvests would necessitate the clearing out of existing, still-plentiful stores of grain and produce. This verse, situated within a chapter detailing the blessings for covenant obedience, powerfully illustrates God's desire and capacity to provide superabundantly for His people, ensuring not merely sufficiency but a lavish surplus as a tangible sign of His faithfulness to their covenant relationship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 26 serves as a climactic summary of the Mosaic covenant, outlining the profound consequences—blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience—that hinge upon Israel's faithfulness to God's commands. [Leviticus 26:10](/leviticus/26-10 "Leviticus 26:10 - Promise of Overflowing Abundance") is a highlight within the "blessings" section, which commences in [Leviticus 26:3](/leviticus/26-3 "Leviticus 26:3 - Conditions for Covenant Blessings"). Prior to this verse, God promises timely and sufficient rains ([Leviticus 26:4](/leviticus/26-4 "Leviticus 26:4 - Promise of Seasonal Rains")), abundant agricultural yields leading to prolonged harvests ([Leviticus 26:5](/leviticus/26-5 "Leviticus 26:5 - Abundant Harvests and Security")), and comprehensive peace and security from enemies ([Leviticus 26:6-8](/leviticus/26-6 "Leviticus 26:6-8 - Peace, Safety, and Victory")). Verse 10 elevates this picture of prosperity beyond mere sufficiency, portraying an almost unimaginable surplus where the volume of new produce is so great that it demands the removal of older, yet still perfectly good, provisions. The subsequent verses further elaborate on God's intimate presence among His people and His unwavering commitment to His covenant ([Leviticus 26:11-12](/leviticus/26-11 "Leviticus 26:11-12 - God's Dwelling and Covenant Faithfulness")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, particularly for an agrarian society like Israel, life was intrinsically tied to the land's productivity. Harvests were not merely a source of income but the very bedrock of survival, dictating whether a community would flourish or face devastating famine. The concept of "store" (typically referring to grain stored in granaries or other preserved foodstuffs) was absolutely vital for sustenance during the non-growing seasons or between harvests. The promise in [Leviticus 26:10](/leviticus/26-10 "Leviticus 26:10 - Divine Provision for Israel") of consuming "old store" while simultaneously needing to "bring forth the old because of the new" would have resonated profoundly with the Israelites. It painted a picture of unprecedented food security and prosperity, a stark departure from the constant existential threats of drought, crop failure, or enemy incursions that frequently afflicted ancient peoples. This level of abundance implied not only freedom from hunger but also a surplus that could be used for trade, hospitality, or as a crucial buffer against future uncertainties, powerfully demonstrating God's comprehensive and benevolent care for their physical well-being.
* **Key Themes:** Leviticus 26:10 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Leviticus and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Provision and Blessing**, emphasizing God's character as a generous and faithful provider who delights in sustaining His covenant people. This verse showcases the **Covenantal Nature of Blessing**, directly linking Israel's obedience to God's commands with tangible, overflowing prosperity, as seen throughout the blessings section of [Leviticus 26](/leviticus/26 "Leviticus 26 - Blessings and Curses"). It also highlights the theme of **Abundance Beyond Sufficiency**, portraying a level of divine generosity that far exceeds mere basic needs, providing a surplus that signifies God's boundless goodness and power. This superabundance is a visible sign of God's **Faithfulness to His Promises**, reassuring Israel that He would uphold His side of the covenant if they upheld theirs. The imagery of clearing out old stores for new also subtly touches on the theme of **Renewal and Freshness** in God's ongoing relationship with His people, where His blessings are not static but continually renewed and increased.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **eat (Hebrew, _ʼâkal'_):** This primitive root signifies "to eat" in both literal and figurative senses. In this context, it literally refers to the consumption of food, specifically the "old store." The implication is that the Israelites would have such a continuous supply that they would still be eating from previous harvests, indicating sustained provision and freedom from scarcity.
* **old store (Hebrew, _yâshên'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to be slack or languid," this word specifically refers to produce that has grown old or stale, often implying it has been stored for a significant period. Here, "old store" emphasizes that the previous year's bounty would still be plentiful and edible, not depleted, even as the new harvest arrived, highlighting the long-term nature of God's provision.
* **bring forth (Hebrew, _yâtsâʼ'_):** A primitive root meaning "to go out" or "to bring out," this verb vividly describes the action of physically emptying out or removing the old provisions from storage facilities. The context implies that this removal is necessitated not by spoilage, but by the overwhelming volume of the incoming new harvest, creating a logistical challenge of abundance.
* **new (Hebrew, _châdâsh'_):** This adjective denotes something fresh, recent, or newly produced. Juxtaposed with "old store," it highlights the continuous, cyclical, and ever-renewing nature of God's provision. The "new" harvest is so immense that it displaces the "old," illustrating a level of abundance that transcends mere sufficiency, pointing to a divine generosity that exceeds human capacity to consume or store.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And ye shall eat old store":** This clause promises that the Israelites would enjoy such a continuous and abundant supply of food that they would still be consuming provisions from previous harvests. It signifies long-term food security, implying that the previous year's yield would not be exhausted before the next one arrived. This speaks to a state of sustained prosperity and freedom from the anxieties of scarcity, a stark contrast to the precarious existence of many ancient peoples.
* **"and bring forth the old because of the new":** This is the more striking and hyperbolic part of the promise, painting a picture of extraordinary abundance. It describes a situation where the new harvest is so incredibly vast and overwhelming that the existing "old store," still perfectly good and plentiful, must be physically moved out of storage to make room for the incoming fresh crops. This is a powerful image of superabundance, illustrating a divine blessing that goes far beyond basic needs, creating a logistical "problem" of managing an embarrassment of riches.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 26:10 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of divine abundance. The most prominent is **Hyperbole**, where the promise of having to "bring forth the old because of the new" is a deliberate exaggeration designed to emphasize the extraordinary magnitude of God's blessing. It paints a picture of such overwhelming agricultural prosperity that the sheer volume of new crops would necessitate the removal of perfectly good, older provisions—a scenario far beyond typical human experience. This vivid imagery also functions as a form of **Metonymy**, where "old store" and "new" stand in for the entire concept of abundant agricultural produce and the resulting prosperity and security. Furthermore, the verse uses **Juxtaposition** by placing the "old" and "new" in direct contrast, highlighting the continuous, cyclical, and ever-increasing nature of God's provision. The sensory details evoke powerful **Imagery** of overflowing barns and granaries, conveying a tangible sense of security and well-being that would have deeply resonated with an agrarian society dependent on the land's yield.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 26:10 stands as a profound testament to God's character as a generous and faithful Provider, deeply committed to the well-being of His covenant people. It underscores the theological principle that divine blessing is not merely about meeting basic needs, but often involves a lavish, overflowing abundance that reflects God's boundless goodness and power. This promise of superabundance is inextricably linked to Israel's obedience, highlighting the reciprocal nature of the Mosaic covenant where faithfulness to God's commands unlocks the floodgates of His provision. Beyond material prosperity, this verse speaks to the security and peace that flow from trusting in a God who cares comprehensively for His creation, demonstrating His power to sustain life and foster flourishing in every dimension. It reminds us that God's desire is for His people to thrive, not just survive.

* [Deuteronomy 28:11-12](/deuteronomy/28-11-12 "Deuteronomy 28:11-12 - Blessings of Abundance and Open Heavens")
* [Psalm 104:27-28](/psalms/104-27-28 "Psalm 104:27-28 - God Provides for All Creatures")
* [Philippians 4:19](/philippians/4-19 "Philippians 4:19 - God's Abundant Supply in Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific agricultural context of Leviticus 26:10 is rooted in ancient Israel, the underlying principles of God's character and His desire to bless His people remain eternally relevant for believers today. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that our God is not a God of scarcity but of superabundance, capable of providing far beyond our immediate needs and expectations. It encourages a deep trust in His faithfulness, knowing that He delights in showering His children with good gifts, whether spiritual, emotional, or material. For us, the "old store" might represent past blessings, established patterns, or even spiritual insights we've accumulated, while the "new" signifies fresh grace, new opportunities, renewed strength, or deeper revelations God wants to impart. The challenge, then, is to cultivate a heart of gratitude and open hands, ready to receive God's continuous outpouring. This may involve a willingness to "bring forth the old"—perhaps by releasing outdated methods, sharing our material or spiritual abundance, or making room for new ways God wants to work in our lives and through us. It also subtly highlights the concept of stewardship, prompting us to manage the abundant blessings God provides with wisdom, generosity, and a recognition that all we have comes from Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life have you experienced God's "old store" of blessings, and how might you be called to "bring forth the old" to make room for something new God wants to do or provide?**
* **How does the promise of overflowing abundance in this verse challenge any scarcity mindsets or anxieties you might hold about God's provision in your life?**
* **What does it mean to "walk faithfully" in obedience today, and how might such faithfulness invite God's continued blessings into your life and community, beyond just material things?**
* **Beyond material things, how can we experience and share spiritual "old store" and "new" blessings in our relationships, ministries, and witness to the world?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse guarantee material wealth for all believers who obey God today?**

Answer: While Leviticus 26:10 clearly promises material abundance within the specific context of the Mosaic covenant with ancient Israel, it's crucial to interpret this through the lens of the New Covenant. God's ultimate promise to believers in Christ is not necessarily material wealth, but spiritual abundance and His faithful provision for all our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus ([Philippians 4:19](/philippians/4-19 "God Will Supply All Your Needs")). The principle of God's generosity and His desire to bless those who walk in obedience remains, but the nature of those blessings has been transformed and expanded in Christ. We are promised spiritual riches, peace that surpasses understanding, joy, and the indwelling Holy Spirit, which are far more valuable and enduring than any earthly store. God does provide for our physical needs, but not always in the form of overflowing material wealth, as His purposes for us may involve different paths, including hardship and trials, for our spiritual growth and His greater glory ([2 Corinthians 12:9-10](/2_corinthians/12-9 "God's Grace is Sufficient in Weakness")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 26:10, with its vivid imagery of overflowing abundance, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the Old Covenant promised physical sustenance and material prosperity for obedience, Christ embodies the spiritual and eternal "new" that supersedes and infinitely surpasses the "old store" of the Law and its temporal blessings. He is the true bread of life ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "Jesus, the Bread of Life")), the inexhaustible source of spiritual nourishment that leaves us never hungry or thirsty. In Him, we receive "every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places" ([Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Spiritual Blessings in Christ")), an abundance that makes the material blessings of the Old Covenant seem like a mere shadow by comparison. The "new" that Christ brings is the New Covenant itself, established by His blood ([Luke 22:20](/luke/22-20 "The New Covenant in His Blood")), which replaces the old covenant of works with a covenant of grace, offering forgiveness, eternal life, and the indwelling Holy Spirit. Through His perfect sacrifice, Christ has cleared out the "old store" of sin, death, and the condemnation of the Law, making way for a "new creation" ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "New Creation in Christ")) and an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for us ([1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "An Incorruptible Inheritance")). Thus, the promise of overflowing provision in Leviticus 26:10 points forward to the boundless spiritual riches and eternal life that are found supremely and eternally in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Leviticus 25:22

And ye shall sow the eighth year, and eat [yet] of old fruit until the ninth year; until her fruits come in ye shall eat [of] the old [store].

2 Kings 19:29

And this [shall be] a sign unto thee, Ye shall eat this year such things as grow of themselves, and in the second year that which springeth of the same; and in the third year sow ye, and reap, and plant vineyards, and eat the fruits thereof.

Luke 12:17

And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?

Joshua 5:11

And they did eat of the old corn of the land on the morrow after the passover, unleavened cakes, and parched [corn] in the selfsame day.